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Could T-Mac be on the move?

There's a lot of talk on the Rockets' RealGM board speculating that a "big" trade is about to go down (possibly w/ the Knicks) and that Yao is the only player on Houston's roster that is untouchable. They're also speculating the possiblity of adding Spree. They cut Dion Glover today, which opens up a roster space. Stay tuned.

Re: Could T-Mac be on the move?

Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy spoke of the need for change, which would seem the inevitable conclusion for a staggering 4-12 team coming off perhaps its worst loss of the season.

He did not specify if change must come in the caliber of play of those he is putting on the court or if he must change the players. But Van Gundy said he has "hard decisions" to make.

That could mean many things, but the Rockets have reached the point where they believe there will be changes to the rotation, the roster or both.

"I would think the only people I can be sure they won't change would be Tracy (McGrady) and Yao (Ming)," Rockets guard David Wesley said. "Other than that, it could be me, it could be anybody."

Veterans have seen enough not to be surprised. That was how Wesley came to the Rockets last season after they got off to a poor start that showed little signs of imminent change. They were never this low last season, falling to 6-11 at worst. But the return of point guard Bob Sura and trades for Wesley and Jon Barry helped turn things around.

This season the Rockets can hope for the return of point guard Rafer Alston and of McGrady's good health and usual prowess. But there is a sense that greater change could be coming. Again.

"I would assume," guard Derek Anderson said. "The way the league is going, you change the lineup. Some things you see you can accept, but some things you can't. I've seen it before. It's a business. Things change. You can't be surprised. We'll see what happens."

If they are looking to retool again, the Rockets will not be dealing from a position of strength. They are not 4-12 because many players are playing so well.

Wesley, Barry, Anderson (who has an option for another season) and Moochie Norris are in the last season of their contracts. But teams shopping for short-term contracts usually offer players with long-term deals who are not typically long-term solutions, and those deals are more common around the February trade deadline.

Players who were signed last offseason cannot be traded until Dec. 15. But even if the Rockets are not looking to ship or acquire a player signed in the offseason, deals become more likely after the Dec. 15 date because teams wait to see what else might become available.

Adding a free agent also will be difficult. The Rockets are over the salary cap and slightly over the luxury-tax threshold.

All filled up
The roster is packed to capacity and then some. Besides carrying the maximum of 15 players — with the only player with a non-guaranteed contract (Dion Glover) hurt, which keeps the Rockets from releasing him — they have four former players (Vin Baker, Clarence Weatherspoon, Charlie Ward and Zendon Hamilton) on the payroll.

But if they can carve out a roster spot, there are some free agents who could get consideration.

Latrell Sprewell, who had some of his best seasons playing for Van Gundy in New York, George Lynch and Darvin Ham would offer the competitiveness sometimes missing. Rodney White has shown catch-and-shoot abilities.

The Rockets could also solve their own problems. They won't be getting younger and quicker in the next few days, but they were relatively old and slow last season, too.

But last season, they shot well enough around McGrady and Yao to overcome shortcomings. This season, they rank 29th in scoring, 28th in shooting percentage and last in assists per game.

Defensively, the Rockets are statistically among the league's strongest teams, holding opponents to 42.5 percent shooting, third-best in the NBA. But they have broken down so dramatically at the end of close games that the defense cannot be considered a strength, either.

"We may get along well in the locker room, but we have no chemistry because we have no accountability or a feeling of responsibility to one another to give maximum mental and physical energy for the cause," Van Gundy said.

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Yeah there are some more stuff on this article about chemistry etc.. didn't want to hijack the thread totally and post it all..

Re: Could T-Mac be on the move?

They're not going to trade T-Mac. And especially to the Knicks - the Knicks could only offer expiring contracts, and why would Houston all of a sudden decide to go back into rebuilding mode after acquiring a solid duo in TMac and Yao?

That's hillarious.

Look for some tweaks with some of their older guys and fringe players.

Re: Could T-Mac be on the move?

If the Rockets are thinkign about TMac, you have to wonder why. It's obviously not the talent, and he's obviously not a bad apple.

In the end, you have to wonder if they think that TMac is simply too injury prone. That's scary for GMs looking to aquire a max-salary player.

Well, $$$ could be the simple answer. T-Mac makes at least three times as anyone else on their roster, Yao included. Factor in his injury-proneness and it's not that big of a shock that they may be looking to move him.

Re: Could T-Mac be on the move?

Well, $$$ could be the simple answer. T-Mac makes at least three times as anyone else on their roster, Yao included. Factor in his injury-proneness and it's not that big of a shock that they may be looking to move him.

Thats only because Yao is still in the last year of his rookie contract. Yao's already signed to a max deal for next year and Houston traded for McGrady (and his contract) knowing that Yao would get the max. Its pretty clear that Houston is fine with carrying two max contracts into their future. So yes, I would say it would be a huge surprise if Houston were to do a 180 and suddenly be worried about two contracts they just created for themselves not even a quarter of a season in.

Re: Could T-Mac be on the move?

Its cuz the Knicks are like the Yankees of the NBA.....money is no object to them....and yet it has brought them how many championships?

If the Knicks trade their expiring contracts and the Knicks 1st round draft pick for 2038 ( cuz that is all they have left ) for KG ....and McHale accepts it....then someone ought to fire him. If it happens...there is no justice in this world.

Ash from Army of Darkness: Good...Bad...I'm the guy with the gun.

This is David West, he is the Honey Badger, West just doesn't give a *****....he's pretty bad *ss cuz he has no regard for any other Player or Team whatsoever.

Re: Could T-Mac be on the move?

Why is Yao untouchable???

Except for one decent game vs Shaq and a ton of Chinese fans - he doesn't bring much. Sometimes he's actually a real liability.

So he's 7'6'' with a nice touch. But no passion, no banging, no toughness, no quickness. He's a whole level beneath the top level of big guys in the league like Shaq, TD, KG, Camby, Brand, and yes - JO.